Which place is cheaper, Riga or Zanzibar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zanzibar or Riga?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Zanzibar and Riga can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Zanzibar or Riga?
Zanzibar
Just off the coast of Tanzania lies an entrancing archipelago known as Zanzibar. This gorgeous string of islands is the land of sultans, palaces beaches and spice-filled markets. Once an important trading center, many restorations have been done in recent years to restore Zanzibar to its ancient grandeur - earning its capital city UNESCO World Heritage status in 2000.
Riga
Riga is the vibrant capital city of Latvia. It continues to gain popularity as a tourist destination in part because it is the base for the airline Air Baltic. This affordable airline offers discount flights around Europe and most of these flights pass through Riga with a forced overnight layover. This encourages travelers to visit this fascinating city for at least a night or two.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, and The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $50Riga $113
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $50, while the average daily cost in Riga is $113. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Zanzibar and Riga in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $24Riga $57
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $48Riga $114
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Riga
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Riga? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Zanzibar Hotel Prices and Riga Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Riga $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Arrival Private Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Island by Minivan: $8.45
- Zanzibar Airport Private Transfer to/from Hotel: $18
- Airport and Hotels Transfers: $20
- Airport Taxi and Hotel Transfer Service in Zanzibar: $20
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Stone Town Hotels to the Airport: $20
- Zanzibar Airport transfers and Taxi services: $22
- Private Zanzibar Airport Transfers to and from any Hotel: $22
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar to Abeid Amani Karume Airport (ZNZ): $27
- Private Departure Transfer in Zanzibar: $32
- Zanzibar transfers and Taxi: $35
- Private Transfer from Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport to Stone Town: $37
- Private Transfer from Mbweni to Zanzibar (ZNZ) Airport: $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Arrival Private Transfer from Riga Airport RIX to Riga City by Minibus: $92
- From Vilnius: One-Way Private Transfer to Riga: $185
- Private Transfer From Riga City Center To Riga Airport: $44
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport RIX to Riga City Center: $32
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport to Hotel with English speaking driver: $54
- Private Transfer from Riga City Center to Riga Airport RIX: $32
- Private transfer Riga - Hill of Crosses - Riga: $105
- Riga Limo Airport Transfer: $132
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Riga?
Prices for flights to both Riga and Zanzibar change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayZanzibar $16Riga $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.
- Half-Day Kuza Cave Swimming Adventure and Cooking Class: $13
- Private Zanzibar Spices Tour with Traditional Swahili Cooking Lesson: $55
- An romantic cooking Lesson + Spice Farm Tour: $55
- Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
- Spice Tour & Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $60
- Zanzibar Spice farm and Cooking Class: $60
- Zanzibar pizza making & wine tasting: $65
- Traditional Zanzibar Cooking Class including Spice Tour: $68
- Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour and Cooking Class : $75
- Cooking Class Tour: $77
- A private half day spice farm with a cooking lesson: $90
- Kidichi Kitchen Experience: Traditional Cooking Masterclass: $105
Typical Food Prices in Riga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:
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Fast Food Lunch$6.28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Riga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Riga.
- Riga Medieval Dinner: $110
- Medieval Dinner on the 12th Century at Rozengrals: $121
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $13Riga $23
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Easy Stone Town Tour: $20
- Stone Town tour: $20
- 3 Hour Community Walking Tour: $20
- 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour : $20
- Zanzibar stone town city tour: $20
- Stone Town Tour: $25
- Private Walking Tour in Stone Town: $25
- Stone Town Cultural City Tour: $25
- Zanzibar Stone Town Walking Tour: $25
- Stone Town walking tour, shopping, history and culture: $26
- Zanzibar Stone Town Private Walking Tour: $26
- Fair Tourism In Paje: $27
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- An audio tour of Old from St Peter's Church to the Monument of Freedom: $5.20
- Riga Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $6.20
- Art Nouveau in Written & Audio Guides Tour: $8.88
- Latvian History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Riga’s Old Town: $8.99
- Admission Ticket to Live Silver Museum: $12
- Riga Sightseeing Tour by Canal Boat: $14
- Riga Art Nouveau walking tour: $16
- Riga Old Town walking tour: $16
- Old Riga — Self-Guided Tour and Walking City Quest: $22
- Riga Art Nouveau — Walking Quest and Self-Guided Tour: $22
- Private Boat Tour experience in Riga (City Canal and Daugava): $24
- Riga old town I Self-guided city adventure tour: $27
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.72Riga $21
Sample the Local Flavors in Zanzibar
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Zanzibar:
- Thrilling Pub Crawl In Zanzibar. Visit 3 Unique Bars: $26
Sample the Local Flavors in Riga
Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl- Your best night out in Riga with our local guide! : $31
- Pub Crawl in Riga: $33
- Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl: $54
- Riga Beer Killer Bar Crawl: $55
- Riga Wine Tasting Session: $104
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Riga, we can see that Riga is more expensive. And not only is Zanzibar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zanzibar is in Africa and Riga is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Zanzibar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zanzibar and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Riga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Riga than you might in Zanzibar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is Riga Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Riga?
Riga has a larger population, and is about 84% larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Riga, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Zanzibar or Riga?
Riga has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Zanzibar experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Zanzibar or Riga in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Riga. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Also, many visitors come to Riga in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Zanzibar is generally a little warmer than Riga. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (77°F), and Riga fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
In July, Zanzibar usually receives less rain than Riga. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Riga receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZanzibar 25°C (77°F)Riga 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Riga in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Riga. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Riga for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Zanzibar is much warmer than Riga in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Riga fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
Zanzibar usually gets more rain in October than Riga. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Riga receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZanzibar 25°C (78°F)Riga 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Riga in the Winter?
Both Riga and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Riga because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Riga can be very cold. In the winter, Zanzibar is much warmer than Riga. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zanzibar in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Riga averages at about -5°C (23°F).
In January, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Riga. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Riga receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZanzibar 28°C (82°F)Riga -5°C (23°F)
Should I visit Zanzibar or Riga in the Spring?
Both Riga and Zanzibar during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Zanzibar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Riga this time of year.
In April, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Riga. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 27°C (81°F), and Riga fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Riga. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Riga receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZanzibar 27°C (81°F)Riga 5°C (42°F)
Typical Weather for Riga and Zanzibar
| Zanzibar | Riga | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.